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Every rescue has a different philosophy on how to handle adoptions. Here at Crosswinds, we try to strike a balance between making sure the horse has a good, fitting home, and letting the horse's new family gain ownership as well. Many potential adopters are frustrated by adoption requirements at some rescues that do not provide the adopter ownership of the horse.

By requiring that ownership of the horse remain with Crosswinds for the first 6 months after the horse goes home, both Crosswinds and the soon-to-be owners have time to make sure the new relationship is a good fit and that everyone is happy and comfortable. Assuming all goes well, after all payments have been made plus 6 months, ownership of the horse now rests with the adopter-turned-owner, and the horse's future is in the new owners hands. Of course, Crosswinds always asks adopters to consider returning the horse to the rescue in the event of unforseen circumstances and their inability to keep the horse.

Our ByLaws require that all applicants be members first ($25/yr). We are a membership nonprofit organization. You can become a member and apply to adopt all on the same day.

The first step in adoption is completing an adoption application, and being approved. The adoption application can be accessed here: adoption application.

Upon approval of the application, and selection of a good match for the adopter and adoptee alike, an adoption contract is entered into between Crosswinds and the adopter, ensuring that both parties are clear on what each expects of the other. A sample adoption contract can be seen here: adoption contract.

Adoption fees vary by horse, and are set based upon the skills and functionality of the horse him/herself. Fees are set as roughly half what the equivalent horse would sell for had s/he not been through a rescue situation. By setting fees in this manner, adopters who could not otherwise afford such a horse can now do so with this lowered pricing, and the higher fees for some horses help offset the extraordinary expenses and needs of some of the others.

Crosswinds gladly delivers horses to their new homes for slightly more than the actual expenses incurred in transport. 

Have questions on adopting? Please see our Adoption Q&As!

Crosswinds Equine Rescue, Inc. -- 8182 E 200 North Road, Sidell IL 61876 -- 217-649-7915 -- email